Sirens and flashing lights took over Three Sisters Road in Knightdale on Wednesday after a small plane went down near Raleigh East Airport, drawing a heavy response from emergency crews. Wake County deputies were called in to assist with a reported aircraft incident, and multiple agencies converged on the area as first responders worked to secure the scene. News helicopters circled overhead while investigators and emergency teams moved in on the crash site below.
According to ABC11 (WTVD), the Wake County Sheriff's Office said it was responding to Three Sisters Road near Knightdale "to assist with a report of an incident involving an aircraft." ABC11's Chopper 11 filmed the scene from above, and the station said its breaking-news crew was still working to confirm details. As of that update, officials had not released any information on possible injuries or how many people were involved.
Where it happened
Raleigh East Airport (W17) sits along Three Sisters Road in Knightdale, with airport records listing its address as 933 Three Sisters Road. AirNav and other aviation directories describe the field as a small general-aviation airport east of downtown Raleigh.
Local context
Small general-aviation fields like Raleigh East sometimes see emergency responses when aircraft run into trouble. WRAL reported an ultralight crash near the same airfield in 2006, a reminder that in these incidents, local first responders are often the first people on the scene.
What comes next
The National Transportation Safety Board typically investigates civil aviation accidents that meet its criteria. The agency notes that it may send investigators to a crash scene, depending on the circumstances. NTSB also asks anyone who has photos or video of an aviation incident to preserve that material and contact investigators or local authorities.
ABC11 said its crew is continuing to gather information and will update its report as officials release details. We will update this story when agencies provide confirmed information.
